posted
I'm going to ask my doc to order a Western blot for lyme but I'm not sure he knows how to specify it. Can someone please respond with the proper scrip for the test lab?
Thank You, John
-------------------- JJG Posts: 33 | From Scranton, PA | Registered: Sep 2009
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kidsgotlyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 23691
posted
I just so happen to have an Igenex test kit here in front of me.
It is under the Basic Lyme Panel 4090 Western Blot IgG, Western Blot IgM, Lyme IFA
You can call Igenex and they will send you a test kit in the mail. Then just take it to your local lab and they will do the blood draw. Then you just Fed Ex it to Igenex.
-------------------- symptoms since 1993 that I can remember. 9/2018 diagnosed with Borellia, Babesia Duncani, and Bartonella Hensalae thru DNA Connections. Posts: 1470 | From Tennessee | Registered: Dec 2009
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posted
I'm not doing Igenex. I just want the script for a generic lab. I want the insurance to pay. If get a negative then I will pay for the Igenex. 4090 - what will that mean to a generic lab?
-------------------- JJG Posts: 33 | From Scranton, PA | Registered: Sep 2009
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seekhelp
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 15067
posted
Proper script would read:
Lyme Western Blot IgM/IgG C-6 Peptide (Lyme)
If going through an insurannce lab, I'd also run Babesia Microti, Babesia WA-1, Bartonella, and other necessary co-infection antibody tests if symptoms are in line.
Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
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posted
Thanks Seekhelp!! Can you give me the whole list? Also, is there a test that shows if i had West Nile? (see my post "Numb Skin")
-------------------- JJG Posts: 33 | From Scranton, PA | Registered: Sep 2009
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Pinelady
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18524
posted
Igenex does not accept ins. But they will send you
a form for reimbursement so you can send to ins to
recover your costs. Just a thought.
Always get copies of all results as many have been
told neg. when it was possible to have borrelia
specific only bands on the WB which could only
mean Lyme and were told neg. because they did not have enough bands.
-------------------- Suspected Lyme 07 Test neg One band migrating in IgG region unable to identify.Igenex Jan.09IFA titer 1:40 IND IgM neg pos 31 +++ 34 IND 39 IND 41 IND 83-93 + DX:Neuroborreliosis Posts: 5850 | From Kentucky | Registered: Dec 2008
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- First, avoid ELISA. Those are worthless tests.
A generic lab will not test all the bands necessary for the Western Blot. And, once you get a negative test in your file (as are most tests from generic labs), you can have all the positive test confirmations from other labs and no regular doctor will ever believe it because they are not generally educated enough about testing.
No test is perfect and that is why it's best to see a LLMD in person for an evaluation if you suspect a tick-borne infection.
You can read more about testing here.
You would also want to consider testing for other tick-borne infections. Lyme is just one of those.
Now, all that said, of course finances come into reality. You might contact those at your local support group to see if, by chance, there is a lab in your area that may be a cut above normal.
posted
I see no harm asking your family doc for a WB + co-infection tests through local labs first.
Yes, if they come back negative your family doc will assume you are 'fine' and not follow-up. But even if you did the Igenex and it came back positive, you should see a LLMD anyway, as the majority of doctors don't know how to properly treat tick-based diseases.
I believe Stony Brook's lab will report all bands, by the way, if your doctor requests it on the script. They aren't as good as Igenex, but they may be better than the standard WB. But making sure your insurance pays for Stony Brook's lab and getting whoever draws your blood to send it there may be a problem.
Although ... is Babesia WA-1 even available from most local-type labs? When I asked my doc, and checked the testing catalogs for most labs, nobody does WA-1. My doc said only specialty labs, like Igenex, does that one. Same with FISH test too, I think.
Posts: 584 | From NY | Registered: Feb 2009
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seekhelp
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 15067
posted
LabCorp does WA-1 Lemon-Lyme. Only a few smart LLMDs like Dr. S in MD, Dr. J in MD seem to be aware of it's existence (thank goodness). Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
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posted
Thanks for the input. Is LabCorp A good WB and co-infection lab? They have their test numbers and discriptions on line. They are in my area (Scranton, PA). My only other choice is Pennant and they are part of a hospital system in Wilkes-Barre, PA. I haven't had any feedback about them.
-------------------- JJG Posts: 33 | From Scranton, PA | Registered: Sep 2009
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quote:Originally posted by seekhelp: LabCorp does WA-1 Lemon-Lyme. Only a few smart LLMDs like Dr. S in MD, Dr. J in MD seem to be aware of it's existence (thank goodness).
Is it just called Babesia WA-1? I tried looking it up on LabCorp's test menu, but couldn't find it listed.
Posts: 584 | From NY | Registered: Feb 2009
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seekhelp
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 15067
posted
I'll save you some time. They hide the lab on their online menu. I had to get it from the author of the Lyme Disease Solution.
Test # 807177
Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
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quote:Originally posted by seekhelp: I'll save you some time. They hide the lab on their online menu. I had to get it from the author of the Lyme Disease Solution.
Test # 807177
Oooh... thanks. I'll try to get my doc to write a script for that one. I have some babesia-like symptoms (shortness of breath) but no sweating... so my doc thinks it probably isn't babesia. But it doesn't hurt to test, and I've only been tested for one babesia strain.
It's a lot cheaper than an Igenex test too (being free through insurance).
Posts: 584 | From NY | Registered: Feb 2009
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seekhelp
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 15067
posted
Yeah, I kind of wonder if there are lots of positives and possibly false ones though for WA-1. LymeMD on his blog says many test positive for it. What's this mean?
Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
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posted
It either means WA-1 is a lot more common that people think, or the test is faulty? Did LymeMD mention why he thinks many test positive for it?
Cross-reactivity with other babesia strains (even non-tested strains) could be a cause... possibly?
Or cross-reactivity with other viruses/bacteria? But I think that only tends to happen when results are borderline, sometimes.
Posts: 584 | From NY | Registered: Feb 2009
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seekhelp
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 15067
posted
it has some cross-raactivity with Toxoplasma Gondii and Rheumatoid Factor according to this NEJM extract:
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